Deposition removal device

Abstract

To provide an attachment removal device for achieving space saving.SOLUTION: An attachment removal device includes a nozzle, a lead screw, and a rotation mechanism. The nozzle has a first fitting part on an end opposite to a jet port for jetting fluid toward a detection surface of a sensor. The lead screw has a through hole penetrating in a rotary shaft direction, has one end formed with a second fitting part fit to the first fitting part and the other end connected with a fluid supply device, and thereby the through hole communicates with the nozzle and the fluid supply device. The rotation mechanism rotates the lead screw, and thereby changes the fit state of the first fitting part and the second fitting part, and moves the nozzle in the rotary shaft direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a deposit removal device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a deposit removal device that removes deposits from a lens of an in-vehicle camera by spraying a fluid such as a cleaning liquid or compressed air from a nozzle with an ejection port arranged toward the lens. This type of deposit removal device has a technique in which the nozzle is provided so as to be movable along the extension direction (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-152326 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional technology has room for improvement in terms of space saving.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a deposit removal device that can achieve space saving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the deposit removal device according to the present invention includes a nozzle, a lead screw, and a rotation mechanism. The nozzle has a first fitting portion at an end opposite to an injection port that injects fluid toward a detection surface of a sensor. The lead screw has a through hole penetrating along the rotation axis direction, and a second fitting portion that fits with the first fitting portion is formed at one end, and a fluid supply device is connected to the other end, so that the through hole communicates with the nozzle and the fluid supply device. The rotation mechanism rotates the lead screw to change the fitting state of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion and move the nozzle in the rotation axis direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, space saving can be achieved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle on which an on-board camera is provided. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the deposit removal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of an attachment removal device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of an attachment removal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of an attachment removal device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the deposit removal device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0010] In the following, an example will be described in which the sensor to which the deposit removal device is attached is an on-board camera 5 mounted on a vehicle V. The on-board camera 5 is disposed at the rear of the vehicle V and is a rear camera that captures images of the rear of the vehicle V.

[0011] First, Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle V on which an on-board camera 5 is provided. As shown in Fig. 1, the on-board camera 5 is installed, for example, above a license plate 93 at the rear of the vehicle V and at a position that is approximately in the center of the vehicle V in the vehicle width direction. The on-board camera 5 captures, for example, a back view image behind the vehicle V from this position.

[0012] Next, Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA' shown in Fig. 1. For convenience of explanation, Fig. 2 illustrates an on-vehicle camera 5 that does not have a nozzle for ejecting a fluid.

[0013] 2, a license plate 93 is attached to a metal body panel 91 at the rear of a vehicle V. A garnish 92 made of, for example, resin is attached to the vehicle body panel 91 above the license plate 93.

[0014] A space 94 in which components and the like can be arranged is formed between the vehicle body panel 91 and the garnish 92. A bottom surface 92a of the garnish 92 is provided so that its planar direction is, for example, approximately parallel to the horizontal direction. A garnish hole 92b is opened in the bottom surface 92a.

[0015] The vehicle-mounted camera 5 is supported on a vehicle body panel 91 via, for example, a bracket 7. The bracket 7 is fixed so as to cover a body hole 91a opened in the vehicle body panel 91. The vehicle-mounted camera 5 is attached to the bracket 7 and supported by the bracket 7 in a state in which the optical axis direction is tilted with respect to the vertical direction so that the rear of the vehicle V can be imaged.

[0016] The base end of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 is disposed on the vehicle interior side, and wiring is connected thereto. The tip end is disposed on the space 94 side, and the lens 5a (an example of a detection surface) is exposed from the garnish hole 92b. Note that the clearance between the vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the garnish 92 may be only a few millimeters depending on the type of vehicle V, and is almost completely eliminated.

[0017] Here, the deposit removal device 10 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the deposit removal device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the deposit removal device 10 includes a nozzle 11. The nozzle 11 is connected to a fluid supply device 100, and sprays a fluid (e.g., compressed air, a cleaning liquid, etc.) supplied from the fluid supply device 100 toward the lens 5a of the vehicle-mounted camera 5.

[0018] Here, there has been a conventional technique for moving the nozzle in the direction in which the nozzle extends. In the conventional technique, when moving the nozzle, a lead screw is arranged parallel to the flow path of the nozzle, and the female thread protruding from the nozzle is engaged with the male thread of the lead screw.

[0019] However, in the case of the conventional configuration, a space is required between the lead screw and the protruding portion that becomes the female thread, which may make it difficult to reduce the size of the product.

[0020] Therefore, in the deposit removal device 10 according to the embodiment, space saving is achieved by the configuration shown in Figs. 4 to 6. Figs. 4 to 6 are diagrams showing the configuration of the deposit removal device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, in the deposit removal device 10 according to the embodiment, by providing the lead screw 14 itself with a through hole 14a (see Fig. 5) which serves as a fluid path, it is not necessary to arrange the fluid path and the lead screw 14 in parallel, thereby realizing space saving. Hereinafter, the configuration of the deposit removal device 10 according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 4 to 6.

[0021] Fig. 4 shows a front view of lens 5a of vehicle-mounted camera 5. Fig. 5 shows a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 shows a cross section taken along line BB in Fig. 4. Note that, for ease of explanation, Fig. 4 shows the internal structure of housing 12 so that it can be seen, but in reality, housing 12 is provided so as to cover the internal structure.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, the deposit removal device 10 according to the embodiment includes a nozzle 11, a housing 12, a rotation mechanism 13, and a lead screw 14.

[0023] Nozzle 11 ejects the fluid supplied from fluid supply device 100 from ejection port 11c (see FIG. 6) toward lens 5a. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, nozzle 11 has a first fitting portion 11b at the end opposite to ejection port 11c.

[0024] Specifically, the first fitting portion 11b is provided on the inner diameter side of the nozzle 11. More specifically, the first fitting portion 11b is provided on the wall of the flow path 11a through which the fluid passes. The first fitting portion 11b has a female thread shape that meshes with the second fitting portion 14b described later.

[0025] The housing 12 accommodates the nozzle 11, the rotation mechanism 13, and the lead screw 14, and is provided so that a part of the nozzle 11 on the injection port 11c side protrudes. Specifically, the nozzle 11 protrudes to the outside from a through hole 12b provided in the housing 12.

[0026] Furthermore, through hole 12b provided in housing 12 has the same shape as the outer periphery of nozzle 11 and fits into nozzle 11. Note that the outer periphery of nozzle 11 and through hole 12b are preferably non-circular, such as elliptical.

[0027] As a result, when a lead screw 14 (described later) rotates, the through hole 12b functions as a stopper, thereby preventing the nozzle 11 from rotating together with the lead screw 14.

[0028] The non-circular outer circumferential shape may be formed only in a part of nozzle 11. Specifically, it is sufficient that only the fitting portion between nozzle 11 and through hole 12b is non-circular.

[0029] Furthermore, a connection portion 12a is provided on the surface of the housing 12 opposite to the through hole 12b. The connection portion 12a has a through hole 121a, and is connected to the lead screw 14 on the inner side and to the fluid supplying device 100 on the outer side.

[0030] That is, the flow path of the fluid supplying device 100 and the through hole 14a of the lead screw 14 are connected to the through hole 121a of the connection portion 12a.

[0031] The rotation mechanism 13 includes a motor 13a and a first gear 13b. The first gear 13b meshes with a second gear 14c of the lead screw 14. The rotation mechanism 13 rotates the first gear 13b by the rotation of the motor 13a.

[0032] This allows the lead screw 14 to move by rotating the second gear 14c.

[0033] The lead screw 14 has a through hole 14a passing through along the rotation axis direction (the left-right direction on the paper of FIGS. 5 and 6). Further, the lead screw 14 has a second fitting portion 14b formed at one end on the nozzle 11 side.

[0034] The second fitting portion 14b fits into the first fitting portion 11b. Specifically, the second fitting portion 14b is provided on the outer diameter side of the lead screw 14 and has a male thread shape.

[0035] That is, the second fitting portion 14b meshes with the first fitting portion 11b, which has a female thread shape, and thereby fits into the inner diameter side of the first fitting portion 11b. This allows the flow path 11a of the nozzle 11, the through hole 14a of the lead screw 14, and the fluid supply device 100 to communicate with each other, and the female thread shape and the male thread shape mesh with each other, so that the stroke of the nozzle 11 can be finely controlled by driving the lead screw 14.

[0036] 5 and 6, the flow path 11a of the nozzle 11, the through hole 14a of the lead screw 14, and the flow path of the fluid supplying device 100 are coaxially arranged. Specifically, the flow path 11a of the nozzle 11, the through hole 14a of the lead screw 14, and the through hole 121a of the connection part 12a are coaxially arranged.

[0037] In other words, the flow passage 11a of the nozzle 11, the through hole 14a of the lead screw 14, and the flow passage of the fluid supplying device 100 are aligned in a straight line.

[0038] This prevents the fluid supplied from the fluid supply device 100 from remaining in the through-holes 14a and the flow paths 11a, allowing the fluid to be efficiently ejected from the ejection ports 11c.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the deposit removal device 10 includes a first sliding member 15a, a second sliding member 15b, and a third sliding member 15c.

[0040] The first sliding member 15a, the second sliding member 15b, and the third sliding member 15c are, for example, sealing members (or sealing agents). The first sliding member 15a is provided between the housing 12 and the nozzle 11.

[0041] Specifically, first sliding member 15a is provided so as to close the gap between through-hole 12b of housing 12 and nozzle 11, and slides relative to nozzle 11. This allows nozzle 11 to move, and also prevents water, dust, and the like from entering housing 12 through through-hole 12b.

[0042] The second sliding member 15b is provided to close the gap between the first fitting portion 11b and the second fitting portion 14b, and the first fitting portion 11b and the second fitting portion 14b slide against each other, thereby preventing water, dust, and the like from entering the flow passage 11a and the through hole 14a from between the first fitting portion 11b and the second fitting portion 14b.

[0043] Moreover, the third sliding member 15c is provided at the connection portion 12a to which the fluid supplying device 100 and the lead screw 14 are connected. Specifically, the third sliding member 15c is provided so as to close the gap between the lead screw 14 and the connection portion 12a, and slides relative to the lead screw 14. This allows the lead screw 14 to rotate, and prevents water, dust, and the like from entering the through hole 14a from the connection portion 12a.

[0044] Next, a description will be given of a movement mechanism of the nozzle 11. As shown in Fig. 6, first, the rotation mechanism 13 rotates the motor 13a to rotate the first gear 13b. As a result, the power of the motor 13a is transmitted to the second gear 14c meshing with the first gear 13b, and the second gear 14c rotates.

[0045] The rotation of the second gear 14c changes the fitted state of the first fitting portion 11b and the second fitting portion 14b. Specifically, the rotation of the second gear 14c causes the second fitting portion 14b to rotate, changing the meshing state between the female thread shape of the first fitting portion 11b and the male thread shape of the second fitting portion 14b, thereby moving the lens in the direction of the rotation axis.

[0046] More specifically, the greater the degree of meshing between the female thread and the male thread, the more the nozzle 11 is pulled toward the lead screw 14, and so the nozzle 11 moves in a direction away from the lens 5a (to the right on the paper surface of FIG. 6).

[0047] Furthermore, as the degree of meshing between the female thread and the male thread decreases, the nozzle 11 is pushed out in a direction away from the lead screw 14, and therefore the nozzle 11 moves in a direction approaching the lens 5a (to the left on the paper surface of FIG. 6).

[0048] As described above, the deposit removal device 10 according to the embodiment includes the nozzle 11, the lead screw 14, and the rotation mechanism 13. The nozzle 11 has a first fitting portion 11b at an end opposite to the ejection port 11c that ejects the fluid toward the detection surface (lens 5a) of the sensor (vehicle-mounted camera 5). The lead screw 14 has a through hole 14a penetrating along the rotation axis direction, and a second fitting portion 14b that fits into the first fitting portion 11b is formed at one end, and the fluid supply device 100 is connected to the other end, so that the through hole 14a communicates with the nozzle 11 and the fluid supply device 100. The rotation mechanism 13 rotates the lead screw 14 to change the fitting state of the first fitting portion 11b and the second fitting portion 14b, thereby moving the nozzle 11 in the rotation axis direction. This allows space saving to be achieved.

[0049] Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 5. Car Camera 5a Lens 7 Bracket 10 Deposit removal device 11 Nozzle 11a Flow path 11b 1st fitting part 11c injection port 12. Chassis 12a Connection 12b Through hole 13 Rotation mechanism 13a Motor 13b 1st gear 14 Lead screw 14a Through hole 14b Second fitting portion 14c 2nd gear 15a First sliding member 15b Second sliding member 15c Third sliding member 91 Body Panel 91a Body Hole 92 Garnish 92a Bottom 92b Garnish hole 93 License Plate 94 Space 100 Fluid supply device V Vehicle

Claims

1. a nozzle having a first fitting portion at an end portion opposite to an ejection port for ejecting a fluid toward a detection surface of the sensor; a lead screw having a through hole passing through along the rotation axis direction, one end of which is formed with a second fitting portion that fits with the first fitting portion, and the other end of which is connected to a fluid supply device, so that the through hole communicates with the nozzle and the fluid supply device; a rotation mechanism that rotates the lead screw to change a fitted state between the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion and move the nozzle in the direction of the rotation axis; and a housing that houses the nozzle, the lead screw, and the rotation mechanism and has a through hole through which a part of the nozzle on the ejection port side protrudes; Equipped with The shape of the through hole of the housing and the outer circumferential shape of the part of the nozzle are Same shape and non-circular shape A deposit removal device comprising:

2. The first fitting portion is A female screw shape is provided on the inner diameter side of the nozzle, The second fitting portion is The lead screw has a male thread provided on the outer diameter side thereof.

2. The deposit removing device according to claim 1 .

3. A first sliding member provided between the housing and the nozzle; a second sliding member provided between the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion; a third sliding member provided at a connection portion to which the fluid supply device and the lead screw are connected.

2. The deposit removing device according to claim 1 .

4. The housing includes: a connection portion having a through hole to which the through hole of the lead screw and a flow path of the fluid supply device are connected, The flow passage of the nozzle, the through hole of the lead screw, and the through hole of the connection portion are coaxially arranged.

4. The deposit removing device according to claim 1,

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